Two days after losing his belt to Florante Condes of the Philippines, former International Boxing Federation mini-flyweight champ Muhammad Rachman of Indonesia announced plans for a rematch.
“I will try to reclaim my title in a rematch this December,” Rachman told a press conference here Monday.
“I hope I can win and bring the belt back to Indonesia,” he said, promising to better prepare for the rematch.
Rachman’s manager Martinez Dos Santos confirmed the rematch had been agreed upon by the Condes camp.
“Promoter Fandy Juney Sugiarto has the option to hold the rematch. And we — including Condes — have signed a new contract to hold a rematch in Jakarta sometime in December,” Martinez said.
“Of course, this time, Condes will receive more money than Rachman, who will be the challenger.”
The 35-year-old Rachman lost his title to the 25-year-old Filipino in a split decision Saturday night in Jakarta.
The fight, initially scheduled for June 16, was postponed after original promoter Albert Reinhard Papilaya proved unable to fund the bout.
Facing a deadline for a mandatory title defense, Rachman then had to accept the US$21,250 (Rp 189 million) offered by promoter Fandy for the bout or be stripped of the belt.
Rachman had been promised Rp 750 million by Albert.
“The uncertainty over the bout as well as the payment ruined Rachman’s whole training program. He was distracted ahead of the fight. That’s the main factor why he lost,” Martinez said.
Despite the loss, Rachman collected Rp 200 million in cash bonuses Monday from different parties.
“Rachman was knocked to canvas twice, in the third and 10th rounds, but the fact that he struggled to finish the entire 12 rounds, even though it cost him dearly with a cut over his eye, is worthy of appreciation,” said Irwan Hidayat, the president director of herbal medicine producer PT Sido Muncul, who gave the boxer Rp 100 million.
Sido Muncul also sponsors World Boxing Association featherweight champion Chris John.
“I think Rachman did his best in the fight. And if he wants a rematch, of course, we will lend our support to him,” said State Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs Adhyaksa Dault, who presented the fighter with a Rp 50 million bonus.
Rachman also received Rp 50 million from PT Media Nusantara Citra (MNC), the owner of television station RCTI, which aired Saturday’s bout, and a motorcycle from Indonesia’s Supervisory and Control Body for Professional Sports.
“We hope that Rachman can use his limited time to December to prepare for the rematch. He must get better quality training to win the rematch,” said MNC commissioner Agum Gumelar, who is also a former Indonesia Sports Council chairman.
